With arguably one of the most responsible animal welfare ethos in the industry, Clarence Court announces plans to lobby for more stringent standards for UK hens. From 7th to 13th of August 2006, Clarence Court will use its status as an ethical producer of traditional free range eggs to encourage consumers to eat ethically sourced eggs.

Whilst 85% of Britains do not support battery-farming in eggs, 66% of eggs produced in this country, sold in supermarkets and used in the production of processed food still come from battery hens. Small wonder that only a small percentage of the population can enjoy the pleasure of eating ‘real’ free range eggs. The rich natural coloured yolk, the dense texture and thick shell, not to mention the flavour, are just a few of the delights of the genuine, traditional free range egg. The production of ethical eggs therefore is just as much about enjoying real eggs as they used to taste as putting your health and the environment first. It’s no wonder that celebrity food writers such as Nigel Slater believe that “ethical eating is the only way forward for the thinking cook”.

To mark the first ever Ethical Egg Week, Clarence Court has released a Ten Point Plan for Happy Hens which aims to highlight the requirements and standards necessary for ethical egg production. Well positioned to lead the vanguard in a campaign for better UK standards, farmer Philip founded the Cotswold-based business in 1994, with the aim of creating a truly free range company. Clarence Court has pioneered the revival of traditional British old fashioned eggs laid by hens from old pure breed bloodlines which unlike modern hybrids, were bred for egg quality and not quantity.

Clarence Court hens are free to roam and forage on acres of green pasture from dawn to dusk, leading a natural and happy life. Fed on a natural cereal based diet and an abundance of grass and herbs, the birds enjoy everything that a normal healthy hen requires for its freedom of expression and fullness of life.

Says Philip Lee-Woolf ‘The happiness of our hens and the quality of the very special eggs they produce, bears testament to the importance of implementing proper ethical standards in every area of our business. We hope that by launching Ethical Egg Week Clarence Court will set an example of how to create a happy environment for hens. Look out for our forthcoming unique Adopt-a-Happy-Hen scheme as well as our visit to Downing Street when we take our ethical message to the PM!’

For more information visit www.clarencecourt.co.uk or go to www.clarencecourt.co.uk/HenCam for live footage of the hens.